The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-01-28

tive fashion-with pieces of damp ra
ton bread-a short abstract. in which
the men are represented by figures. II
the initiated observer, the purport o
this might be rather puzzling. After +:
particular numeral. for example. is in
scribed the word cocoa" The soldier
to whom it refers has assigned to hin
the task of preparing the beverage
named. which is issued to the guard a
midnight-the standing" cook having
the privilege of every night in bed
The abstract is attentively perused by
the men, who sometimes take private
memoranda of the parts of its contents
that apply to them individually. Not
unfrequently this is done with pencil
on their pipe-clayed gun-slings in such
a position as not to be apparent to the
inspecting officer.
As soon as every one has mastered
the corporal's hieroglyphics. a SER
geant issues from the bunk already al.
luded to. bearing the ''order-board,"
which is of rather portentous dimen-
sions. As the great majority of the
men know the regulations off by heart.
they are read in slightly hasty and
peIfunctory manner; though, with true
military eXactness. not word is omit
ted. There is little in the list of orders
that calls for special remark; but one
paragraph is, we imagine. almost, if
not quite unknown elsewhere; it re-
lates to the conduct of the corporals
when marching round the "rclief." If,
when so marching along with his men.
Her Majesty the Queen should meet or
pass the party. the non-comlnissioned
officer is directed to halt his sub
ordinatc,, draw them up in 'Open
ORDER and see that the appropriate
salute is rendered. The curious order
which prohibits soldiers from "work-
ing at their trade while on guard is of
course represented on the board; but as
a matter of fact, some men pass good
deal of their spare time in the not very
martial occupation of making beadwork
These articles, however,
command somewhat tempting prices,
in the metropolis.
While the men of the guard have thus
been engaged. the commandment has
taken over his quarters. adjacent to
the guardroom, and reached by a
pretty long stone stair. well worn by
the iron-shod heels of many generations
Of corporals and drummer-boys. Soon
after mounting duty, the officer is
Joined by his servant, who brings with
him portmanteau containing various
comforts. A cooking department is
,lso required in the case of the officer,
whose meals, however. are conveyed to
him by the messmen from barracks. |
Before long. the steps of corporal
ascending the stair warn the Captain of
he guard that the hour approaches for
linn to march off the 'second relief"
The posts" are numerous. One sem
incl PAGES about in front of the guard
Dom. much of his attention being de- |
'oted TO saluting the Knights Pension
RS Of Windsor, who reside in the
over ward of the castle. An
'ther soldier has ample leisure to |
examine the architectural features of |
he celebrated Round Tower, at the |
base of which he is stationed. A third !
axes post on the North Terrace. where |
l splendid prospect enlivens the mo-
,otony of his vigil, and whence. if of |
turn, he can contemplate
he windings of the river which are
'aid to have given the place the name
or Windsor. Or, if histor-
cally inclined. he may recollect that
he North Terrace was once the favor
tie promenade, for an hour before din
Ter. of Queen Elizabeth. to whom it is
Illeged the English soldier was origin
lily indebted for his daily ration of
'eef. Then there are two sentries on
he eastern facade of the castle. These
nen are in close proximity to the royal
partmcnts. BY night, they do not
hallenge in the ordinary manner. but
y two stamps with the right foot; and
hey are charged to pronounce
he words ..All's well'' in an UNI
ertone. The grand entrance to the
Ipper ward of the castle is in the keep
nc of double sentry, as is also
ate near at hand: and there are sew
raj other sentry-posts which it would
re tedious to visit in detail. In each
entry-box hangs a heavy watcl-coat,
1hich the soldier may put on when he
kinks fit, and of TIE large buttons on
his cloak he is expected to take sedu-
BUS care.
BY night, the sent:nels around Wind
or Castle are slightly augmented in
lumber; but it will only be necessary
ere to notice one night-post. the ciois-
ers OF st. Georges Chapel. This is
somewhat eerie quarter in the small
ours. There is military tradition
D the effect that the cloistcrs are occa-
ionally visited by shadowy ard I'm
arthly forms. to the perturbation If
oung soldiers. The writer has had 30
Experience of these supernatural Wis
ants; but he has noticed, when march,
lg round the relief, an unusual alac-
ity on the part of some men to quit
he cloiSters.
While the men on guard are engaged ,
! their usual routine. the officer is not !.
together idle; he inspec.s and
larches off the relieving detachments
intervals of two hours; and in the
fternoon visits the sentries. taking
aims to ascertain that they are familiar
it'll their instructions. At eleven {,
clock at night he makes his rounds"
receded by the drummer-bOy with his